Tag Archives: Jesus

12 Days of Christmas

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During my years as an Elementary Music Specialist I discovered that children really like to sing songs that add content to each verse.  Of course at Christmas they especially liked to sing the 12 Days of Christmas.  (This is my favorite recording of this Carol.  Enjoy by clicking on the link.) Little did the students  realize the meaning of those 12 objects is rooted in Christian History.

Catholicism was outlawed in England from 1558 to 1829.  During this period of time those who wanted to learn of their faith gave meaning to each object in the song by attaching it to a Christian precept.  Whether there is truth to this story or not it does present a unique way to attach a secular song to basic Christianity.

  • Two Turtle Doves – The Old and New Testaments
  • Three French Hens – The three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity
  • Four Calling/Collie Birds – Four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
  • Five Golden Rings – First five books of the Old Testament
  • Six Geese-a-Laying – Six days of creation before God’s rest on the seventh day
  • Seven Swans-a-Swimming – Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
  • Eight Maids-a-Milking – Eight Beatitudes
  • Nine Ladies Dancing – Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
  • Ten Lords-a-Leaping – Ten Commandments
  • Eleven Pipers Piping – Eleven faithful disciples
  • Twelve Drummers Drumming –Twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed     (source BBC.com)

I am including the words to the Apostles’ Creed because they so resonate in my heart, having been raised in the Lutheran Church and Tradition.  (When I married Ray, a member of the Church of Christ,  my grandmother nearly disowned me.  That all disappeared when she got to know him, his belief in Jesus Christ, and his desire to create a Christian marriage and home.  By the way we are now members of ‘the holy Christian Church’ fellowshipping in the Body of Christ as Southern Baptist’s ) 

As you read through these words make them a prayer of thanksgiving for who He is and what He has done.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,thumbnailCAW5ZPKY

maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
and born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day He rose again from the dead.thCAJJS5RQ
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy Christian church,

the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,thumbnailCAG6BOYY
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
This creed was written using selected verses and concepts from the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Holy Bible.

I Wonder As I Wander

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I Wonder As I Wander is one of the most beautiful of all Christmas Hymns.  It was originally published in Songs of the Hill Folk in 1934.  It tells of the longing to understand why Jesus came to earth for each one of us.  The haunting melody speaks of that lonely longing so many Believers experience at this time of year.

John Jacob Niles, who created the melody and penned most of the words based the song on a fragment of a song he had heard while attending an evangelistic meeting in the mountains.  In his own words…

A girl had stepped out to the edge of the little platform attached to the automobile. She began to sing. Her clothes were unbelievable dirty and ragged, and she, too, was unwashed. Her ash-blond hair hung down in long skeins…. But, best of all, she was beautiful, and in her untutored way, she could sing. She smiled as she sang, smiled rather sadly, and sang only a single line of a song.                                  Pen, Ron. “I Wonder as I Wander”. A Kentucky Christmas (George Ella Lyon, editor). University Press of Kentucky (2003), p200–201. ISBN 0-8131-2279-1.

I can see the shadows and shapes of the dark Appalachian Mountains as I listen to this beautiful piece of music.  I can almost hear the Heavenly Hosts singing…Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, goodwill toward men!   –Luke 2:14

http://youtu.be/jQqp6hpBpd8

Heavenly Father, during this waiting time, the Advent of Jesus return, keep me mindful that the loneliness I sometimes feel is Your Spirit within waiting to be rejoined with You.  As I anticipate with great joy Your return not as a Baby but as my Redeemer grant me the peace that comes from knowing that You are my One and Only.  Glory be to God in the Highest!

Away In A manger

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Away In A Manger is my favorite Christmas Carol.  Although many give the same message this is the one that resonates in my heart.  I have chosen an older melody for this video and love the Celtic Woman version.  Enjoy!

Away in a manger no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;  The stars in the sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing the Baby awakes, but Little Lord Jesus no crying He makes;  I love Thee Lord Jesus!  Look down from the sky, and stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Verses 1 & 2 of this song first appeared in a children’s collection in 1885.  It is often attributed to Martin Luther but that is highly unlikely.  The author is unknown.

The third stanza was added by John Thomas McFarland around the turn of the century.  It is this verse that I love the most.  Think on these words:

Be near me, Lord Jesus I ask Thee to stay close by me forever, and love me, I pray;  Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care, and fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.

There is no greater desire in this Believer’s heart than to stay in His ‘tender care’ and when He is finally ready, to live with Him for all eternity.

Heavenly Father, this child is so blessed to know You and give You praise.  Forgive my sins and stay close.  Let me walk through the opportunities of this day with You.  I put all those reading this in Your ‘tender care’.  I lift this prayer before the throne in the precious name of Jesus.  Make it so!

All God’s Children

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While we were waiting for church to start this morning Taylor asked if I had some paper so she could draw. I watched her draw a cross and underneath she wrote Jesus’s cross. Next to the cross she drew Jesus . He was holding Taylor’s hand, she was holding Marlee’s hand & she was holding Morgan’s hand… Then she told me it was hers & Morgan’s job to help teach Marlee about Jesus & to let her know that He is always holding their hands. She then drew a picture of Bro. Kenny preaching to the congregation … her mommy, Morgan, Taylor, Nana & Pawpaw. It is amazing how much they learn & how quickly they pick it up. My girls are so bright, caring & loving especially to Marlee. I love these girls so much.

This beautiful word picture was painted by a dear friend in Alabama.  I loved it when she posted it on Facebook and have her permission to share it in this blog.  (The picture above is not the one the girls drew.)

It is so easy to read Matthew 19:13-15 and think I’m no longer a child.  That’s really not true.  We are all God’s children.  He wants us to come to Him regularly and learn from Him.  We tend, as adults, to become so independent that trusting anyone but ourselves is a rarity.  Proverbs 3:5 says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding’.  That’s what Jesus is saying to ALL His children, trust Me, count on Me, lean on Me, I AM what you are searching for, I will hold your hands anytime you need Me.

Heavenly Father as I lift these words in the Name of Jesus, keep me constantly aware that I am Your child.  Throughout this day help me to trust You, to lean on You, to hold Your always extended hand.  Your awesomeness thrills me.  YOU ARE!

Staying Power

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Luke 15:4  “Remain in Me, and I in you.”  Remain, stay, abide, survive, (to) last.  These words reflect the power in the concept of this verse.  When I am connected to my Jesus, He is connected to me.  While I am waiting on Him, He is waiting with me.

A beautiful, old hymn says this very well:                                                         Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;                                                            The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.                                                   When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,                                                       Help of the helpless, O abide with me.                                                              I need Thy presence every passing hour;                                                         What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?                                     Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?                                             Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

Stay with God…through dishes, dust, and laundry…and watch the Spirit show up.                                                                                                           Stay with God…through hurts, losses, cruel words, and sadness of this world…and watch the Spirit show up.                                                            Stay with God…when there is not enough time to do it all…and watch the Spirit show up.                                                                                                 Stay with God…                                                                                       Heavenly, glorious Father, I want to stay with You no matter what.  Walk with me and teach me, guide me, forgive me, and make me more like You.  Make me aware of the Spirit throughout this day.  Keep me totally focused on You, my God and my King.  I lift this prayer in Jesus name…Make it so!